Thanks Dan for this report. We plan to go to Prauge in July 05.
Best Regards
Ron

Bumped for SAnger.

Here you go.

Great report Dan - I will keep some of your items handy.

One question. What did you think of the Hilton location? It seems to me a little obnoxious looking and far away from the main attractions........

thanks again!

Agreed on both (we were there last October), but it's around the corner from one of the main train stations. We usually walked into town, but the subway was fast and cheap. Location was not a problem.

Dan, nice report and sound like a good trip.

Just a few added comments to some of the other questions.

You can walk from the Hilton to either Wasclavske nam (the main sq.) or namesti Republiky in about 10-15 mins. You could have walked to the train station too if it is not so convoluted since there is not a street / path on that side of the highway.

If you have only one day, then a long walk from Vaclavske namesti to Starometske namesti (old town sq) Jewish cemetary to Charles Bridge (and down to Kampa Park if you have time and weather is nice) to Mala Strana and up to the Castle and walk around the castle area is what I would suggest to get a flavour of Praha history and architecture.

I worked in Praha from '92 and '98 and would suggest people go a little outside the city center if you have more time. I went back May '04 for a weekend and have found the prices have gone up significantly in the tourist center and I was seeing mostly tourists in the city center which does not give you the full picture of Czech life. There are some nice local pubs in areas just a couple of subways away such as Nam Miru or Namesti Jiriho z Podebrad where it is still more locals. They are called Pivnice usually and beers will be a dollar or less and you might strike up an interesting conversation with a local.

One "Pivnice" that we really enjoyed was discovered by accident during a visit to Prague last summer while out strolling a few blocks from the Charles Bridge one evening... We were walking along Skorepka Street in our Hotel's neighborhood, when we heard an obviously cheerful chorus singing "Happy Birthday" in German down the street. We peered into the PIVNICE SKOREPKA brewery/restaurant, from where the party noises were emanating. We walked to the back of the restaurant, to the rear outside garden and saw a colorful array of Pilsner Urquell umbrellas covering about 20 tables, mostly filled with obviously happy diners downing pints of brew and eating with gusto.

The "Birthday" table was comprised of about 6 German couples who were tucking into huge plates of roasted duck, chicken, sausages and gigantic roasted pork joints. Well, the evening was warm and the Pilsner Urquell looked refreshing, so we picked a table and joined the crowd. The roast duck I chose was perfect and my daughter loved the chicken cutlet she had ordered, which was stuffed with blue cheese and ham. The meals were served with the usual 3/4 kinds of cabbages and 3/4 different types of dumplings. As I recall, the entire meal, including cold beers for me and raspberry juice for my daughter, priced out at less than equiv. USD $15 and I left a $5 tip.

The PIVNICE SKOREPKA was clean, cheerful, and busy. It passed my "bathroom cleanliness" test. As someone who has owned a number of food manufacturing companies and restaurants over the years, I always make a "pit stop" before ordering food to check the loo. In my experience, a clean restroom in a busy restaurant usually is an indicator of how the kitchen will be. There was an attendant present outside the lavs and I was pleased to drop 100 Czech Crowns in the plate for her job well done! ^

My four grandparents were born in Praha and Kutna Hora (hate to admit it, but there are better places to visit than Kutna Hora, although I was moved).
My advice for one day is to simply wander around the city. Bundle up and enjoy the walk with an amazing new sight at every turn.

The national Czech dish is pork, dumplings and sauerkraut. When I first visited Prague with my wife and children, we checked all the menus outside the restaurants. It seemed too good to be true! But it was!!! I remember we had an excellent meal: soup, a main course, dessert, wine, coffee and beer, all served by waiters in tuxedos. I'm thinking to myself, what if we misinterpreted the menu? Will we be washing dishes? To my relief, the bill came to about $4 a person. I know prices are higher now, but still a great deal. I would suggest checking menus as you walk and go with your instinct. Even if it is isn't the best, my guess is that you will fall in love with Prague and plan a return in the near future!

Summer bump for a friend.

dh

Thanks dhammer53:

We are going there in October and staying at the Hilton (Diamond). We enjoy the transportation ideas on Praha. We do not mind the cold weather possibility as we are from South Florida. I have heard the Hilton is not central, but in a quiet area as to enjoy at night. I have been reading your report and getting ideas for our journey there. We are also doing Budapest and Munich as we fly into Budapest and out of Munich. We have not pick which city to add an extra night. Right now we are two nights in each city with an overnight train. Any ideas it which City would provide a great benefit of an extra night.

Thanks again and look forward to get a trip upon returning.

SCA

I am bumping this so I can find it again because I lost my notes on Prague. The best writeup Ive seen here

Thanks for bumping I would have missed this, we are going to be in Prague for three nights starting 4/08

mike

This is a great trip report... Here's another thread from last year which may be of interest... I initiated it because of a pickpocket incident...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...andom+thoughts

It is my understanding that there were not exterminations at Terezin. They were constructing gas chambers but the war ended before they were used.